As the executive officer read their frocking letters, the newly promoted Sailors were pinned with new collar insignia by their closest shipmates and mentors and congratulated by the commanding officer and command master chief.

The “War Eagles” promoted seven Sailors to petty officer third class, 26 to petty officer second class, six to petty officer first class, and one to senior chief petty officer.

The promotions were the result of strong performance during the March 2017 Navywide petty officer advancement examinations, administered while VP-16 was conducting a demanding operational readiness evaluation (ORE) in preparation for their current 6th Fleet deployment.

Despite the high operations tempo and added stress on the squadron during ORE, VP-16 Sailors exceeded the Navywide advancement rates in every category, E-4 through E-6, and earned the highest number of advancements across all Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven (CPRW-11) squadrons.

While addressing the squadron during the frocking ceremony, VP-16 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Amanda Hawkins said, “I am constantly amazed by the accomplishments of the Sailors in VP-16 and the advancement results are no different. The number of War Eagles we advanced is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every individual being advanced today.”

This achievement follows other individual honors for the Sailors and officers of VP-16 including the Naval Air Force Atlantic Sailor of the Year, Richard E. Luehrs Operational Flight Surgeon of the Year, and CPRW-11 Naval Flight Officer of the Year.